NEWS RELEASE

On Saturday, May 4, 2002, Detectives with the ThibodauxPolice Department’s Narcotics Bureau arrested Arthur Hills, 39, of 313 BobbyStreet, for the illegal distribution of heroin.

Just days before the arrest, undercover agents made apurchase of approximately forty dollars worth of suspected heroin from Hills athis residence located at 313 Bobby St.Oncethe purchase was made, Thibodaux Police Narcotic Detectives obtained an arrestwarrant for Hills for one count of Distribution of Heroin and a search warrantfor his residence.On May 4, 2002,Hills was arrested at his home and a search of the residence turned up a firearmand over five hundred dollars in cash, which included the serialized narcoticfunds used to make the purchase of the illegal drugs.

Hills, who is listed as a felon due to a previousconviction of armed robbery, was also charged with one count of illegalpossession of a firearm by a convicted felon.Hills was booked by the Thibodaux Police Department on both charges andlater transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on a $100,000.00bond.

Thibodaux Police Chief Craig Melancon says, “The chargesagainst this individual are very serious.Uponconviction, Mr. Hill could face a minimum of 10 years at hard labor for theweapons charge, and up to life imprisonment for the charge of distribution ofheroine.Mr. Hill is also on parolefor a previous conviction of armed robbery where he was released from theDepartment of Corrections for that charge on April 3, 2001.We are in contact with our local Probation and Parole Office, where theywill assess the charges we have brought against this individual and considerrevoking him as well.”

“Through our narcotics efforts and subsequent undercoverwork, we feel with a high degree of certainty that heroine is not a predominantdrug in this community.But anylevel of its existence causes us concern.Iwant to stress that this arrest does not mean that we have completed ourinvestigation into this case.Wewill pursue this matter aggressively.”